10/3/2023 - flentvall wrote:

PnP'd, with one resounding result... Minerality. All the minerals (for a red wine). Some fruit left on the initial attack, but it immediately gives way to savoriness and the aforementioned min. er. al. s. Alcohol and tannins in check. Interesting on its own for sure, but seems best with food. Not sure where this will go, and glad I drank this one today.

7/25/2021 - flentvall Likes this wine:

Popped and poured. Opens with dusty tannins and a closed flavor profile. Alcohol in check. Underwhelming.

With air (a few hours in bottle and in glass), it lightens up on the palate (medium weight) with further integration of fine tannins, with livelier, fruitier cassis and plum notes. Has some leather but not too much secondary complexity. Overall, much better.

But still not really a "wow"-type 1st growth experience. Elegant, but not really differentiated. If I had another bottle, I'd probably drink it in the next year or two for the overall balance, and maybe slow-o instead of pnp.

5/10/2021 - flentvall wrote:

Popped and poured. Still nicely fruity after all these years, with some alcohol noticeable on the finish but relatively under control. No real development of secondary characteristics though

3/21/2020 - flentvall wrote:

Sour cherry and some amount of underlying almost graphite notes. Overall, a more muted showing that leads me to believe this is slightly past peak (could have been my bottle though)

12/8/2019 - flentvall Likes this wine:

A very decent bottle of semi-aged Cali cab, with a good degree of fruit purity left and almost resolved tannin grippiness. Some amount of secondary flavors peeking around the corner, but it's still mainly about the primary notes. Sadly, the alcohol never integrated to the degree I would've liked.

10/12/2019 - flentvall wrote:

Past its peak, but still a nice brambly sour cherry aroma. Pure and acidic, but fruit starting to fade. Not flawed, just drink up

8/17/2019 - flentvall Likes this wine:

Very pure with soft bubbles. Definitely more acidity than yeast, and clearly I'm not a huge champagne drinker. But very enjoyable

7/19/2019 - flentvall Likes this wine:

My wife said, "write 'your girlfriend likes it'." So it's quite a powerful wine :)

Unctuous, rich, mouth coating, oily, all those textural adjectives-- it stands up to food about as well as any red varietal. Yes, higher in alcohol, slightly bitter on the finish, but quite pure in the middle registers.

2/20/2018 - flentvall Likes this wine:

Drinking very well at the moment. Balanced, with nice purity of fruit. Pleasantly surprised, though not sure why I wouldn't expect it to perform.

2/18/2018 - flentvall wrote:

I'll be the first to admit, I'm not a huge CdP drinker, but this one does feel right at its [slightly-underwhelming] peak, no additional potential. The fruit is receding, secondary flavors are not concentrated, and tannins are subdued but still noticeable. Not bad, but kind of just fine. Perhaps an underperforming bottle, but I can only go off what I get. (Also docked a couple of points given the six-handle price)

11/29/2017 - flentvall Likes this wine:

I dunno, I liked it, but I expected more. Popped and poured, followed over the course of a few hours. A decade of age, and it's still quite primary in its profile without gaining complexity. Almost candied fruit sweet. Sure, still some charcoal and hints of earthy herbaceousness in the background, but it didn't improve from when I had it in 2010. Mouthfeel relatively smooth and medium-bodied, with a touch of grippiness on the finish-- alcohol noticeable in the beginning, less so with air. Kinda glad I stopped buying, especially at today's prices...

11/13/2017 - flentvall Likes this wine:

A tasty treat-- looks like I lucked out with an intact bottle.

Pure, almost primary fruit core, with a hint of secondary earthiness coming through. It's not the most complex and doesn't have the longest finish, and that's okay. It's completely balanced, with alcohol unnoticeable and tannins still somewhat present, but texturally smooth overall. I'm thinking it's at peak now, and can probably drink quite well for another few years.

10/25/2017 - flentvall wrote:

For me, it's good to go. An overall lighter mouthfeel, which may be due to the higher proportion of merlot. Tannins are resolving, with that grippiness still present. Alcohol slightly noticeable, but overall, the purity of fruit still prevails-- cab franc and maybe even the malbec? is noticeable, but retains that cab/merlot core. Definitely a bit New(er) World Bordeaux blend, but a nice right-bank-ish companion with beef dishes. For the ~$35 I paid back in the day, definitely delivers a resounding success.

10/25/2017 - flentvall Likes this wine:

Benefits of the Coravin is that I get to revisit this one. Yeah, honestly, well done. Having spent time now with the remaining majority of the bottle, it's clear that it's got more to give. Kind of that adolescent mix of fruit and secondary earthiness/complexity, very nice. Hold it or enjoy now happily.

10/20/2017 - flentvall wrote:

It's just fine, has definitely lost the pure fresh fruit without replacement by more complex notes, I would drink asap.

8/11/2017 - flentvall Likes this wine:

Showed very well for me tonight, a very nice, balanced bottle of Bordeaux. Sufficient fruit still, with hints of leather (and the barest whisper of barnyard), and fine grained tannins (but not terribly noticeable, pretty smooth on the palate). Alcohol very much in check. Nicely done!

7/18/2017 - flentvall wrote:

Definitely in the oxidized stage. Still get some of the lemon tartness it had in its youth, but it is by no means a keeper at this point. Drink if you have them, but do not wait any longer. Not a horrible bottle, but did not live up to expectations.

7/3/2017 - flentvall Likes this wine:

Popped and poured, consumed over an hour or two. Consistent with rgcm gananda's notes, so it's holding steady at a pretty nice spot-- not sure there's any rush, as there was still a bit of tannin grip and bitterness.

6/10/2017 - flentvall wrote:

Yeah, not bad, but not sure it is at peak yet, since there was still some noticeable alcohol. But smoked meat and fruity notes abound. Smooth, nice. I'll probably wait a couple of years before I open another bottle.

6/10/2017 - flentvall wrote:

Previous reviewers are spot on: the nose is not enjoyable, with nail polish tones, but actually, quite fun on the palate. In addition to the descriptors below, I'd just like to add the thought "fizzy strawberry soda"

5/31/2017 - flentvall wrote:

From 375. Honestly, one of the best Rhys showings for me yet. Seth Rosenberg's Feb 2017 tasting note was right on point with what I experienced, and I think the 3 combo-word version is: quality-today primary-complexity upside-resolution. Very nice. May up my Summer 2017 order as a result.

6/27/2016 - flentvall wrote:

Leaky cork forced my hand, but a wonderful experience. Very smooth, light on its feet. Nicely integrated fruit (this bottle was definitely not green) and wonderful with food. However, fading with time in the glass, so probably at its peak now-- would drink sooner rather than later.

6/27/2016 - flentvall Likes this wine:

Very very pleased with this one. Just another beautiful wine that's perfectly integrated and smooth. Classic flavor profile, everything that you'd want from Solaia. For a good time, drink now.

6/5/2016 - flentvall Likes this wine:

Nice fragrant Riesling with enough acidity to balance out the refreshing sweetness. Enjoyed this, though served warmer than ideal.

5/4/2016 - flentvall Likes this wine:

Nice nice nice. Light on its feet, with the airy mouthfeel of a well-aged pinot. Sweet and sour cherries, paired with faint sous bois bass note that keeps everything in check. Could do with more age as it has a hint of tannin on the finish, but great now. Cannot wait to see what is in store for all my later vintages.

4/3/2016 - flentvall wrote:

A bit contrarian, but drinking it now, I just don't get hype. Comes across tonight as quite simple, with very pronounced acidity. Cranberries is right, with some amount of sous bois. Noticeable alcohol. Fine at 40 bucks or less, but... In any event, have two more bottles, so will personally wait a year at least before trying another. The still-present tannins suggest that should be no problem.

1/8/2016 - flentvall wrote:

Errrr... drank one in advance of the 2013 offering. Unfortunately, never really came together over the course of 3 hours (popped and poured, left in glass and bottle). Was disjointed with noticeable alcohol, dusty tannins, and of course darker fruit notes. Have more bottles to try, but maybe 08 will never be a standout...

8/17/2014 - flentvall wrote:

Either this has not aged well, or i caught this at an awkward stage. Thin and disjointed, skewed toward the alcoholic. Fine, cranberries and some brambly bits on the palate so not all was lost, but such noticeable alcohol

6/14/2014 - flentvall wrote:

Prematurely oxidized-- orangey color. People were saying it looked like pee in the glass. Muted on the palate, with hydrogen peroxide-like finish. Disappointed.

5/25/2014 - flentvall Likes this wine:

Amazing what a few years can do-- much better than my previous bottle. From last night: popped and poured, silky smooth mouthfeel and surprisingly lighter weight (not pinot light, but noticeably so). Great fruitiness and balance (only a peek of alcohol this time), just put a smile on my face.

12/24/2013 - flentvall Likes this wine:

Upon opening, fairly thin and uninteresting, causing me to think, "I paid how much for this?" With an hour of air, became more assertive and flavorful, but still quite elegant in presence-- paired nicely with a rack of lamb.

10/31/2013 - flentvall Likes this wine:

A fairly nice and typical Bordeaux

9/8/2013 - flentvall Likes this wine:

I always wonder if it's just time we need.

I brought this to a party where there was no risk if the bottle was bad. However, I was pleased with this little zinfandel and didn't have any of the issues mentioned in others' notes. It was a balanced, fruity zin that was actually pretty light on the palate. No overly prune-y notes and no noticeable alcohol. Not going to win any awards, but other people liked it as well.

Chilled in fridge prior to consumption for an hour, left outside for 30 minutes before it was popped and poured.

If I just got lucky, well, then, that's great. Otherwise, everyone else, consider trying one to see if things haven't improved.

9/8/2013 - flentvall Likes this wine:

You know, this was great. A crisp bubbly from another part of France that does quite well, particularly at the price point. Right amount of acidity and toast, went great with food. Serve chilled, obviously.

9/8/2013 - flentvall Likes this wine:

Yeah, pretty good for the price. Well-integrated tannins, softer Bordeaux-- works well with as a food wine. Other notes in line with others' reviews.

3/10/2012 - flentvall wrote:

Had last night-- overall impressions are still young at this stage. Dry, no oak roundness or buttery flavors, with balanced alcohols, this is a clean, pure chardonnay. A bit too focused and not overly complex, perhaps, with bracing lemon acidity and a mouthwatering dose of minerality that pushes on the palate at the finish. But yes, the quality is there, just needs some time.

3/9/2012 - flentvall wrote:

Pleasantly surprised with this. Smooth lush texture, medium weight on the palate, tannins and alcohol integrated and not discernible when popped and poured. Nice fruit with some barnyard on the nose, if you're into that. With some more time in the glass, does start to fall into plummy raisiny too-much-air territory, so probably drink soon for the nice expression.

2/20/2012 - flentvall wrote:

I would say that fredb's note below is spot on in terms of profile. However, for me, there was also an element of oak bitterness on the finish, and still some amount of noticeable alcohol as well. On the first night, I followed in the glass over a few hours, and at the end, it did get noticeably lighter on the palate (and the oak and alcohol more or less went away). On the second day, from what was left in the bottle, poured out still dense and dark with the oak and alcohol, so definitely not a timid wine-- I would say that it could still age a bit given how it got more elegant with substantial air without losing flavor (and given how the oak bitterness subsided with that air as well).

11/24/2011 - flentvall wrote:

Was expecing a larger more tannic wine based on the inky purple color, but very smooth and not heavy on the palate. Contained and well-utilized oak influence to match the flavors of the wine. Only gripe: alcohol shows through the fruit.

11/24/2011 - flentvall wrote:

Best wine of this Thanksgiving. Lightweight, easy-to-drink structure (or lack thereof). Refreshing aperitif. Most interesting aspect was grapefruit becoming quite prominent at a couple of hours out. Nice mellow acidity and minerality noticeable on finish.

11/24/2011 - flentvall wrote:

I've had this wine two Thanksgivings in a row now, each time hoping for a good showing, but not meant to be. Straightforward flavor profile aside (see below) the intensity of flavors is a bit lacking and the mouthfeel thin and watery as opposed to a truly light and elegant pinot palate weight. My biggest issue: the alcohol is way too noticeable on the finish-- this was true on opening and hours later. Even more noticeable with food. Couple additional points off for the price factor...

11/19/2011 - flentvall wrote:

Notes on ipad: Had to open early due to a leaking cork, so had lower expectations. Luckily, no serious harm done. Botrytis, honey, and tropical fruit nose-- smells quite dense, if that makes sense. Petrol botrytis taste, with lemon finish. Sweet, but perfectly in balance. No noticeable alcohol. Feels lighter on the palate with additional air/time. Great now, but could've probably aged for a long time had it not been for the leakage.

11/17/2011 - flentvall wrote:

Quite a tasty alternative to Sauternes. Really appreciated the wine more on day 2, when the cloying super sweetness became more balanced and not as heavy on the palate. Alcohol was noticeable when popped open, but mellowed with air and time. Classic botrytized flavors, great acidity, wish I had more since this will probably age quite well, but it was great with foie.

10/7/2011 - flentvall wrote:

I think Anthony Lombardi's Day 1 description fit my impression of the wine's flavor profile perfectly. When first popped open, there was some minor carbonation action, but intense in flavor and midweight. After about 10 minutes in the glass, the tannins start to show and overwhelm the fruit a bit, the wine feels heavier and there is some noticeable heat on the finish. At a bit more than an hour of undisturbed decanting in the glass, it is a tasty drink. Smooth and not tannic at all on the palate, subtler fruit and a nicely lighter mouthfeel with no heat. After another hour or so of consumption during dinner (I'm guesstimating times here), the wine is still nice, but some very slight oak bitterness is felt on the finish, in addition to the nice light yet intense flavors. Good now, but definitely no rush.

So no, this wine is not shy, but is well-behaved. I liked it! By the way, I really think that the smoky spice component of this wine was more a function of the oak than the fires. I could be wrong, but I also have opened 2 bottles of the 08 Anthill Farms AV bottling. Nothing like that at all.

9/25/2011 - flentvall wrote:

When I first received it a few years ago, it was not fun or open at all. Last night, it was nicer and more open, showing fairly nice fruits of red and black, some vanilla and butter on the nose, tannins were present but velvety instead of grippy, but that alcohol was very much noticeable. Decanted in the glass for an hour or so, had with steak.

Today, out of the fridge, has a very faint herbal/vegetal note on the nose that I've not encountered in addition to the next-day-cab fruit aromas. Fruit is still nice and the tannins are even more resolved on the palate. Less heat today, too. I think it still needs time, to tell you the truth...

8/23/2011 - flentvall wrote:

Young, a bit hot. Nice mouthfeel, good fruity Cali cab flavors, should be nice with some time.

8/15/2011 - flentvall wrote:

Had a few months back. Maybe I missed the window, but this was not open when I had it... 89 for the quality that day, but probably 90s when it's ready to go, based on past experience with Lambrays. For ~$55 for a 375... hmmm....

8/15/2011 - flentvall wrote:

Had a while ago. Retained impression was that it was a wacky wine-- lots going on here. Has both the typical chenin characteristics plus a little extra, which is nice. Everything was pretty nice, except for the noticeable heat on the finish. Hopefully that will go away with time, but didn't really with air.

8/15/2011 - flentvall wrote:

A happy little bottle of Vouvray for under $10. Not going to change any lives, but pretty good chilled in the summer. Sort of like white grape juice with some more acidity-- basically, not too complex but didn't need to be for the price. Alcohol was a bit noticeable, if I recall.

8/15/2011 - flentvall wrote:

Decent chardonnay. Tropical fruit notes with some minerality and acidity, not too much oak, but the alcohol was borderline distracting.